A disused railway tunnel in Northamptonshire is poised to become a major test facility for future self-driving vehicles. The 2.7km Catesby Tunnel has officially joined CAM Testbed UK, a global centre dedicated to the innovation and development of connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. Operated by Catesby Projects, the exclusive worldwide resellers of Catesby Tunnel, this unique facility will be the sixth to join the network.
Catesby Tunnel offers optimal conditions for various types of vehicle testing, ensuring high levels of repeatability in a controlled environment. The tunnel maintains stable temperature, pressure, and humidity, without wind or rain interference. Its exceptionally smooth surface creates an environment where data can be gathered with high confidence, allowing engineers to analyse the effects of minute setup changes.
This focus on repeatability is expected to be highly beneficial for testing connected and autonomous mobility (CAM) technologies. The tunnel is also radio insulated and can be made completely dark, creating ideal conditions for testing new technology in challenging scenarios.
John Paton, Managing Director, said: “Catesby Tunnel is incredibly excited to become a member of CAM Testbed UK, joining a list of prestigious and innovative organisations that together demonstrate the UK’s broad capability for autonomous vehicle development.
“We can’t wait to begin working with new companies and promoting the UK as a global centre for developing connected and automated mobility technologies.”
Managed by Zenzic, an organisation established by the UK Government and industry to advance the nation’s CAM ecosystem, CAM Testbed UK offers a comprehensive suite of facilities for modelling, simulation, testing, and trial deployment.
Existing members include UTAC Millbrook – Culham and ASSURED CAV, which provide controlled testing environments, as well as Smart Mobility Living Lab London and Midlands Future Mobility, which offer controlled testing spaces. The group is completed by Convex, a data exchange specialist.
“We are delighted to welcome Catesby Projects to our ever-growing CAM Testbed UK network,” said Mark Cracknell, Programme Director at Zenzic. “CAM Testbed UK was set up to help provide industry and academics with the facillities and support required to increase the technology readiness levels of new innovations that can help drive the sector forward and the addition of Catesby will further build on that.
“CAM Testbed UK provides an environment where technologies can be tested rigorously in situations that are as close to every-day driving conditions as humanly possible, speeding up development times while breaking down barriers to market deployment. It will provide a real boost to the industry.”
Jonathan Eaton, Independent Chair of CAM Testbed UK concluded: “The UK verification and validation services for CAM technologies goes from strength to strength and we are keen to expand CAM Testbed UK to include other facilities that bring additional opportunities for companies to develop their products and services in the UK for this dynamic global market. Catesby Tunnel complements the offering of the other testbeds exceptionally well and I am thrilled to have them on board and look forward to working with John Paton (Managing Director) and the Catesby Projects team.”
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